March 16, 2002
AUBURN, Ala. – The University of Kentucky baseball team scored a run in each of the sixth, seventh and eighth innings but fell short at No. 24 Auburn, losing 4-3 in front of 3,023 fans at Plainsman Park Saturday. Freshman left-hander Craig Snipp (1-1) surrendered three runs in the first two innings but rebounded to pitch four scoreless innings in his first Southeastern Conference start.
“After some first inning jitters, I thought Craig Snipp pitched extremely well today,” Coach Keith Madison said. “He regained his poise, showed confidence and aggressiveness on the mound in his first SEC start – I’m extremely proud of him.”
Auburn (16-5, 1-1) starter Eric Brandon (3-0), who pitched the first nine-inning perfect game in Auburn history in a 9-0 win over Murray State on March 2, threw six complete innings, allowing two runs on three hits, walking one and striking out four. His walk to freshman designated hitter Mike Ferris in the fifth was the first the sophomore right-hander yielded in 34 innings pitched this season.
Holding the Wildcats (10-9, 1-1) hitless through five, sophomore third baseman Matt Fritts laced a single up the middle, ending Brandon’s hopes of a second-consecutive no-hit outing. After shortstop Russ Rutherford was awarded first on a hit-by-pitch, sophomore Caleb Stewart reached base safely on a bunt single and Robert Newton double-play grounder brought UK’s first run home, scoring Fritts from third.
The Cats could not capitalize on a seventh inning rally when they loaded the bases with no outs. Ferris smacked a leadoff double off the wall and was brought home on a pinch-hit sacrifice fly by freshman Emory Davies. Junior Seth Morris and sophomore Spencer Graeter also singled in the inning but AU, using four pitchers throughout the inning, halted the UK rally when right-hander Cory Dueitt forced Russ Rutherford into flying out to right.
UK posted another run in the eighth when Stewart singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After taking third on a Newton groundout, a throwing error by second baseman Tug Hulett allowed Stewart to cross the plate and keep the Cats within one at 4-3. Dueitt slammed the door in the ninth for the Tigers, striking out the last two batters he faced to earn his second save of the season.
“We put ourselves in position to win the game,” Madison said. “We had two opportunities to score with men on third base and we didn’t put the ball in play. I think that was the difference in the game.”
Kentucky and Auburn will finish the three game series on Sunday, March 17 with a 12:30 p.m. CT start. Junior right-hander Scott Wade (3-2) will take the mound for the Wildcats, while the Tigers will go with sophomore righty Colby Paxton (4-1).
Kentucky 000 001 110 - 3 7 2Auburn 210 000 10X - 4 10 1Win: Brandon (3-0)Loss: Snipp (1-1)Time: 2:37Attendance: 3,023
